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PM covers a broad spectrum of issues relevant to all sections of Australia's geographically and culturally diverse community. It looks behind political, economic, industrial, business, social, cultural, rural, regional and arts stories. Below is the program summary with links to transcripts and audio (if available).

States and territories make noise over federal health funding

A good Council of Australian Governments stoush needs an argument about billions of dollars, leading to a stand off which pits the state and territory leaders against the Prime Minister, then after a tantrum or two and a couple of stunts, it's eventually resolved. The funding of public hospitals has provided the groundwork for all those elements at tomorrow's meeting, though the happy ending, of course, is still just speculation. The state leaders are squealing but the indications are getting stronger that they will have to cave in and accept the Commonwealth offering.

Review of healthcare system needed: Professor John Dwyer

Professor John Dwyer, Spokesman for the Public Hospital Doctorsí Task Force and head of Medicine at Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital, says the public health system is crumbling and public confidence being eroded. He wants the state and Federal governments not to take a five-year decision tomorrow, but to go for a years agreement so as to give time for a real and wide ranging review of the big things in the system which need reform.

NAB takes stake in AMP

The National Australia Bank confirmed today that it was behind a multi-million dollar raid on AMP. NAB's grab for a slice has fuelled speculation that it's preparing to mount a takeover bid. It's transformed the life insurer and fund manager from beleaguered ugly duckling to potential swan. Because it seems the AMP may have more than one suitor. However, NAB's raid wasn't entirely successful.

Australia's current account deficit hits record

Australia has just recorded the biggest current account deficit since records began in 1959. The imbalance between imports and exports spiralled up by 24 per cent to almost $12.7 billion in the June quarter. Economists hadn't forecast such a high figure. The Treasurer, Peter Costello, is blaming the Iraq war, SARS, the drought and the global economic downturn all coming together in one quarter. Analysts say the figure represents the peak of the account deficit cycle and that things should improve in the coming quarters.

North Korea nuclear talks continue

Multilateral talks continued in Beijing today over North Korea's nuclear weapons program. The United States and North Korea have broken the ice by engaging in face-to-face unofficial bilateral meetings, but little concrete progress is emerging from the talks aimed at ending a 10-month stalemate. China Correspondent, John Taylor, speaks to PM about the latest developments.

US signals it could allow UN forces into Iraq

The door is inching open to a possible force military force wearing UN blue helmets in Iraq. The Bush Administration given its strongest sign yet that it is considering augmenting its military forces in Iraq with troops from a UN force. But the force would still have to be commanded by an American. The United States Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Armitage, has described it as one idea being explored by the Bush Administration.

David Oldfield defends website over vilification allegations

One Nation is heading to the courts again, this time to defend a website set up with the help of New South Wales MP, David Oldfield. A Muslim lawyer says the website, muslimterrorists.com, vilifies and ridicules members of his religion and thus breaches Victorian law. Mr Oldfield says statements on the site are simply facts. But those familiar with terrorist groups have ridiculed its statement that "not all Muslims are terrorists but nearly all terrorists are Muslims." Lawyer Hisam Sidaoui says he wants an apology and compensation from Mr Oldfield.

Controversial American Islamic leader speaks in Sydney

A controversial American Islamic leader has begun a tour of Australia, despite concerns by some Australian Muslim leaders that he's preaching a radical brand of Islam. At a meeting at Sydney University today, hundreds of young Muslims gathered to hear Sheikh Khalid Yasin speak at an interfaith dialogue. Afterwards he outlined his reasons for coming to Australia and vehemently denied that he was trying to incite young Muslims. Sheikh Khalid Yasin is the Executive Director of the Islamic Teaching Institute in Atlanta, Georgia.

Livestock shipments to Saudi Arabia suspended

The Federal Government has suspended the livestock trade with Saudi Arabia after the Saudis rejected a shipment of sheep earlier this week. Saudi authorities said the incidence of scabby mouth in the shipment exceeded the agreed limit. Saudi Arabia is one of Australia's key markets, it takes a third of the total live sheep trade, worth $120 million. It's the first problem since the trade with the Saudis resumed in 1999. But it's still worrying for the industry because the last dispute resulted in an eight-year hiatus.

Alston proposes subscribers' club as additional source of ABC funding

The Communications Minister has gone to the ABC Board today with the idea of a subscribers' club as an additional source of funding for the national broadcaster. Richard Alston attended his first ABC Board meeting in five-years today. He says he's still perplexed by some of the national broadcaster's spending cuts, but he doesn't favour advertising on ABC radio or television. The Minister suggested to the Board that asking Australian taxpayers to pitch in and subscribe to the ABC could bring extra income.